chapter 17

Jennifer's Aid

AMELIA'S POV

Jessica rushed towards me, her eyes dancing in excitement, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow and her steps light and agile.

"Amelia!" she cried, her voice filled with a girlish glee. "Guess what?" She asked, smiling excitedly.

I arched an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued by my friend's enthusiasm.

"What is it?" I asked with a soft and lilting tone

You'll never believe what happened!" Jessica exclaimed, her voice growing even more animated as she leaned in closer to me.

"I talked to Gerald," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"I told him about you, to give you the liberty to move around the pack. And he agreed!"

My eyes widened, my lips forming a silent "O" of surprise.

"You talked to the Alpha?" I asked. "What did he say?"

He was surprisingly understanding," Jessica said, her cheeks glowing with pride. "He agreed to it of course."

My expression softened, a hint of admiration creeping into my gaze. Jennifer is such a sweetheart, and very adorable. Though we have not known each other for long, she has given me a reason to trust her.

"How did you do it?" I asked, my voice filled with wonder.

"Gerald is not known for his flexibility when it comes to the rules."

Jessica's smile turned timid, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Let's just say that I have my ways," she purred.

Jessica's face lit up with joy, her eyes sparkling with wicked humor.

"Oh yes," she said, her voice growing more playful with each passing moment. "You know what, I'd give you your credit also. Your cooking can do wonders for even the most stubborn of Lycans."

I laughed so hard on hearing her, my voice echoed through the camp, my delight at my friend's antics only increasing.

"So you seduced him with my food?" I asked, my voice teasing.

I reached out and clasped Jessica's hand in mine, my smile wide and genuine.

"I'm so grateful to you," I said, my voice warm and full of gratitude. "You didn't have to do this, but I'm glad you did."

Jessica squeezed my hand, her smile softening into a genuine expression of affection.

"You're my friend, Amelia," she said, her voice full of love. "I would do anything for you. Besides, I knew you'd never be happy being alone in this room all by yourself."

I could not hold back but to hug Jennifer. I felt her warm body gliding over mine.

A few minutes later, we were lost in our world, our voices low, and urgent, as we huddled in a corner of the room, our eyes fixed on each other, our minds racing with possibilities, plots, and schemes.

But our conversation was interrupted, our world shattered, as the door burst open, the hinges creaking in protest, the guard standing in the doorway, his face grim, his hand resting on the grip of his sword.

The guard stood in the doorway, his eyes darting between me and Jennifer, his face a mask of suspicion, of distrust, as he took in the sight before him.

My face flushed with anxiety, my body tensed, and my words hushed and secretive, as if I was engaged in some dark, conspiratorial plot with Jennifer.

"What are you two up to?" he growled, his voice low, dangerous, as he took a step into the room, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword, a silent threat.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my throat suddenly dried, as I locked eyes with the guard, and I felt the weight of his gaze upon me.

I shifted uncomfortably, my feet shuffling on the floor, as I tried to maintain my composure, to appear unconcerned, to hide the secret that burned like a flame within me.

"W-we were just talking," I stammered, my voice catching in my throat, as I glanced at Jennifer, seeking her support, her strength.

The guard's eyes remained fixed on me, his expression unreadable, inscrutable, as he delivered the Alpha's summons with a cold, clinical precision.

"The Alpha requires your presence," he said, his voice flat, emotionless, as if he were delivering an execution order. "You are to come with me, now."

My mind raced, my thoughts a blur of fear and confusion, as I tried to process the guard's words, as I tried to find an explanation, a way out of this situation.

My eyes darted toward Jennifer, my gaze pleading, desperate, as I searched for a glimmer of hope, a sign that all was not lost.

"I will be fine," I whispered, my voice a low murmur, a gentle whisper that only Jennifer could hear, she stepped forward, her body shielding me from the guard's view.

I drew in a shaky breath, my heart pounding like a drum, as I followed the guard out of the room, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the cold, marble hallway, a macabre melody to accompany my fears.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, my face a blank slate, as I walked beside the guard, and tried to fight back the waves of panic that threatened to engulf me.

The corridor twisted and turned, the sounds of the castle a distant, muffled roar, as we approached Gerald's palace, the heavy wooden doors looming before them, a barrier between me and my fate.

The guard slowed to a halt before the throne room doors, the silence between us stretching, taut and anxious, as he waited for me to pass through.

I felt his eyes on my back, watching, scrutinizing, as I crossed the threshold into the room, my heart pounding so hard that I thought it might burst from my chest, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Gerald's face was illuminated by a wicked, sly smile, his eyes glittering with a mix of amusement and malice, as he stepped forward to greet me, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the cavernous throne room.

"I hope I didn't startle you, my dear Amelia," he said, his voice silky, smooth, as he took her hand in his own, his grip tightening ever so slightly, a possessive gesture.

He dismissed the guard and continued staring at me, his smile widening, as he leaned in close, his breath warm on my cheek.

My body seemed to melt into his embrace, my limbs heavy, and languid, as if I were falling into a dream, a sensual, hazy dream.

Gerald's eyes bore into mine, their depths a dizzying whirlpool of desire and power, as he guided me closer to his throne, his touch gentle, almost loving, as if he were a predator, toying with his prey.

Like a veil being lifted, I emerged from my reverie, my mind clear and focused, as I gazed at Gerald, at the handsome man who held me in his thrall.

His touch, his scent, his voice, they had all conspired to weaken me, to seduce me, but I would not give in, not to his selfish desires, not to his games.

"My Alpha," she said, my voice soft, sweet, like a dagger hidden in velvet, as I pulled away from him, my body stiff, my eyes cold.

Gerald's eyes narrowed, his smile fading, as he took a step back, his posture shifting, his body tensing like a predator preparing to strike.

"Is something the matter, Amelia?" he asked me, his voice dangerous, low, as he circled me, his movements a sinuous dance as if he were a snake, ready to constrict.

I stood my ground, my body rigid, my hands clasped tightly before me, as I faced him, my gaze unyielding, my voice strong and sure.

"Nothing is the matter, my king," I replied, my words a careful, measured response, as I steeled myself against his charms, against the seductive pull of his power.

"I am merely curious as to why you have summoned me," I continued, my voice strong, my words pointed, like arrows aimed straight at the heart of his intentions.

My heart raced in my chest, a caged bird beating its wings against the bars of my fear, as I stood before Gerald, my breath shallow, my muscles tensed in anticipation.

I felt a chill run down my spine, a shiver of fear that coursed through my body, as Gerald's words hung in the air, heavy with implication, with the promise of danger.

I knew that my resistance would only fuel his desire, that my defiance would only strengthen his resolve, as he continued to circle me, his steps slow, deliberate, like a cat toying with its prey.

His gaze burned into mine, his eyes dark with hunger, with an intensity that made my skin crawl, his movements predatory, his smile a thin, cruel line.

"You know, Amelia," he said, his voice low, intimate, as he leaned in close, his breath hot on my neck, "I have always been drawn to those who resist me.